Let's Spend The Night Together: Art Hotel, Rome

As the taxi shambled towards Hotel Art, my destination for the night, I realised too late that the driver, although warning me about pickpockets on the metro, had not switched on his meter.

As the taxi shambled towards Hotel Art, my destination for the night, I realised too late that the driver, although warning me about pickpockets on the metro, had not switched on his meter. Consequently, he could name his price for the ride from Ciampino airport. Grudgingly paying his inflated fare, I was nonetheless relieved that he had at least located the Art Hotel - advertised as "the hotel by the Spanish steps", but actually a couple of minutes walk away on the Via Margutta.

LOCATION

Via Margutta 56, 00187 Roma, Italy (0039 06 328 711; www.hotelart.it).

Hotel Art is hidden away near the northern edge of the historic city centre, well placed for browsing the art galleries and shops in nearby Via Balbuino. Many ancient and architectural treasures are also within easy walking distance such as the Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Roman forum and the Spanish steps.

Time from international airports: Ciampino - 30 minutes by taxi outside rush hour; roughly €20-€40 (£14-£28). A bus to Anagnina plus metro (€2/£1.40) or train to Termini, takes an hour plus. Terravision buses also now operate a direct 40-minute service to Termini (€8/£5.70)

Fiumincino (Leonardo da Vinci) - approximately 45 minutes by taxi at a cost of €40-€60 (£28-£42). An express train service to Termini station runs every 30 minutes for €11 (£8).

COMFORTABLE?

There are 46 rooms on four floors including two suites. The bed in my junior suite was large, and very comfortable, with fine linen and masses of pillows.

If you are looking for a hotel from which to watch the world go by, this certainly isn't the place to stay, as many of the rooms look onto a small enclosed courtyard and have no view.

The bathroom fittings positively gleam and are a delight of modern design. Freebies: A sumptuous selection of Art Hotel branded toiletries.

Keeping in touch: All rooms have TV with internet access (€5/£3.50 extra), movies and the usual satellite channels. A WiFi connection can be purchased for €22 (£15.70).

THE BOTTOM LINE

Prices start at €284 (£203) for a single, €387 (£276) for a double and €930 (£664) for a suite, including an impressive buffet breakfast.

I'm not paying that: Hotel Florida on Via Cola di Rienzo 243 (0039 06 324 1872) has double rooms for €80-€100 (£57-£71).